Facebook's Steve Hatch to chair The Drum Social Buzz Awards 2019
Facebook’s vice president of Northern Europe Steve Hatch is to chair The Drum Social Buzz Awards 2019.
Facebook chief to chair The Drum Social Buzz Awards 2019
Hatch will lead a panel of social media gurus from The New York Times, Disney, FleishmanHillard, Jaywing and Seen Connects to determine those who are pushing boundaries and cleverly using social as part of the overall marketing mix.
There have never been more tools in the social media toolbox, said Hatch, and with that, more brands are going to begin unlocking the potential of new cutting edge formats. "By embracing the best of what VR and AR have to offer and using these new technologies to create work that brings new ways for consumers to connect with the brands they love.
“Digital connectivity and mobile devices have raised expectations. We’re in a new age of conversation, and one-way communication won’t cut it for consumers anymore.”
As people come to expect more from their experience with brands the industry will need to react, he adds. “We’ll see brands invest more time developing specific strategies around how to use messaging platforms to reach their customers in an effective way. With big investments being made in technology like AI, using creativity and technology to enhance advertising and the customer experience isn't going to be novel any longer. It's going to be expected.”
In his role at Facebook, Hatch manages all business operations in Northern Europe with a focus on strengthening relationships with the business and marketing communities. Prior to this, he worked at Y&R, Omnicom and WPP where he spent 15 years, with his final role as chief executive officer of MEC. Hatch is also a non-executive director of Reach PLC and is the chair of the Confederation of British Industry Tech group. In 2018, he received The Drum Digerati's Digital Individual of the Year award.
On his appointment as chair of The Social Buzz Awards judging panel, Hatch said: “It is an honour to be chairing this year’s awards, and I’m excited to see some of the incredible work that has been produced by the UK’s top creative talent over the past year. I’ll be looking to see strong storytelling backed by smart, creative execution across platforms when I’m reviewing this year’s entries.
“Awards like this offer a critical opportunity for us to take a moment to reflect on and to celebrate some of the best work coming out of the UK’s advertising and creative industries. Sharing our work in forums like this allows us to grow and learn from each other and be inspired by those pushing the boundaries of what is possible in our field - I encourage you all to enter.”
Anyone can enter these awards, whether you are an individual, agency, brand or organisation producing effective social media campaigns. The awards are global, so there really are no barriers to entry.
Make sure you submit your entries before August 28 and receive a special discounted rate.